Vehicle condenser fluid connection and mounting bracket combined as a single item

ABSTRACT

A condenser for use in a vehicle air conditioning system includes a combined fluid connection block and mounting tab. The fluid connection block connects to a fluid line leading to other components within the refrigeration system. The bracket further has a tab mounted adjacent one side which receives mounting elements for mounting the condenser to a radiator or other frame element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention combines a fluid connection and a mounting bracket into a single one-piece item for a condenser in a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0002] All air conditioning systems include a heat exchange known as a condenser. Typically, in a vehicle based air conditioning system the condenser is mounted on or near the vehicle radiator. The condenser may be connected to the vehicle frame, or directly to the radiator body. A mounting bracket is provided to receive a fastener to mount the condenser.

[0003] Further, fluid connections to and from the compressor and the evaporator must be connected to the condenser. Typically, the vehicle-based condensers have been provided with a fluid connection block mounted to the side of the condenser. The connection block has been separate from the mounting brackets. Thus, in forming the prior art condensers there has been a need to connect two types of items to the side. Moreover, the fluid connection is somewhat unsupported in that it is not directly mounted onto the frame.

[0004] It would be desirable to reduce the number of components on the condenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the disclosed embodiment of this invention the fluid connection block is combined with the mounting bracket. Thus, the fluid connections leading from the condenser to and from the other components of the air conditioning system is part of the same bracket which is connected to the frame or radiator. The bracket includes an internal fluid passage, a mounting location for receiving the fluid line leading to or from the evaporator or compressor and a separate tab which is to receive a mounting connection such as a bolt, rivet, etc.

[0006] In one embodiment, the fluid passage extending through the body of the bracket is an internal passage, which is connected directly to a mating connection in the side of the condenser. In another embodiment, the fluid connection is a tube leading from the condenser to one side of the bracket, and then to the connection on the bracket.

[0007] The present invention thus eliminates the number of components in the vehicle condenser, and provides for more secure connection to the fluid connection line.

[0008] Preferably, the bracket/block is formed from an aluminum extrusion which is then machined.

[0009] These and other features can be best understood from the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a view of a condenser mounted within a vehicle engine compartment.

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a first bracket type.

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a second bracket type.

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] A vehicle condenser 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The condenser is mounted within the engine compartment of a vehicle.

[0015] Frame members 22 and 24 mount the condenser 20. A dryer 26 is mounted to one side of the condenser, and is connected to the frame 24. The frame 22 and 24 may be the radiator, or may be a portion of the vehicle frame, typically adjacent the radiator.

[0016] The compressor 28 delivers refrigerant to the condenser 20, and an evaporator 30 receives refrigerant from the condenser 20.

[0017] As can be seen in FIG. 2, a first combined bracket 32 includes an internal fluid bore 34 leading to a fluid connection 36. As shown somewhat schematically, the bore 34 communicates with a connection 33 within the condenser. The connection 36 is connected to the a fluid line 37 leading to the evaporator 30. As shown, a tab 38 receives a mounting member 40 which is connected to the frame member 32. The mounting member 40 could be a bolt, a rivet, or any other fastening element.

[0018] The detail of the fluid connection is not inventive, nor is the particular fastener used. Rather, it is the combination of the fluid block combined with the mounting bracket tab 38.

[0019] A second type of bracket 42 is illustrated in FIG. 1 also. As shown in FIG. 3, in this bracket, a tube 44 extends to an internal fluid passage 45 leading to the connection opening 46. The connection opening 46 is connected to a line 47, which is in turn connected to the compressor 28.

[0020] Again, there is a tab 48 receiving the fastening member 40, as in the prior embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, block 32 includes the passage 34 and the connection 36. The tab 38 with its opening 40 for receiving the fastening element is also shown. As is clear, the tab 38 extends rearwardly from the fluid block portion and is thinner than the fluid connection bracket 32.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows the bracket 42 receiving the tube 44 from the condenser 20. As shown, internal fluid connection 45 communicates with the fluid connection 46. The mounting tab 48 is positioned and sized similar to the tab in the bracket 32.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bracket 32, although the same view of the bracket 42 would look effectively the same. As can be seen, the tab 38 extends rearwardly from the fluid block portion and is markedly thinner. A connection curved portion 50 is utilized to secure the bracket to the side of the condenser 20.

[0024] Preferably, the brackets 32 and 42 are formed of a suitable metal.

[0025] Although preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

1. A condenser for a vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a heat exchanger body including a fluid inlet connection and a fluid outlet connection, said heat exchanger body to be mounted within the engine compartment of a vehicle; and a pair of brackets mounted to said condenser, each of said brackets including a fluid connection for being connected to a fluid line leading to another component in a refrigeration system, and each of said brackets including a mounting lug to be connected to a frame member within the vehicle engine compartment.
 2. A condenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fluid connection includes an internal fluid passage leading to a connection port for connection to the fluid line.
 3. A condenser as set forth in claim 2, wherein a tube extends into one side of said bracket to connect to said internal fluid passage.
 4. A condenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting lug is relatively thin when compared to a fluid connection portion of said bracket.
 5. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a condenser including a heat exchanger body, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a pair of brackets including fluid connections for connection to fluid lines leading to an evaporator and a compressor, respectively, and said brackets further including a mounting tab, the mounting tab being mounted to a frame member within a vehicle engine compartment.
 6. The air conditioning system as recited in claim 5, wherein said frame member is a radiator.
 7. A condenser as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fluid connection includes an internal fluid passage leading to a connection port for connection to the fluid line.
 8. A condenser as set forth in claim 7, wherein a tube extends into one side of said bracket to connect to said internal fluid passage.
 9. A condenser as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mounting lug is relatively thin when compared to a fluid connection portion of said bracket. 